A brush fire that broke out just north of Banning scorched 103 acres, prompting evacuation warnings and road closures that were lifted Friday, as crews succeeded in encircling all but a small portion of the brusher.
The non-injury “Sunset Fire” was reported at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of Mesa and Gilman streets, near the foot of the San Bernardino National Forest, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
With the brusher 90% contained by noon Friday, evacuation warnings impacting 16th and Wilson streets, along with Repplier Road and San Gorgonio Avenue were lifted, as were the associated road closures.
The blaze was expected to be 100% contained sometime Friday afternoon.
At its peak Thursday night, 157 personnel from the county, U.S Forest Service, Morongo Fire Department and U.S. Bureau of Land Management were on the fire lines, supported by several Cal Fire water-dropping helicopters.
There were no reports of damage to homes or others structures.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.